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Tag Archives: USS Enterprise

The following is a video (from four years ago) of Capt. Owen Honors, a Navy Top Gun; made while he was the Executive Officer on the USS Enterprise, a nuclear powered aircraft carrier manned by over 6000 men and women.

Purporting to be funny and produced without the knowledge of Capt Honors’ commanding officers, the video is not funny and considering it was made with our tax dollars by the ship’s Public Affairs Office, I seriously doubt Honors’ commanding officers knew nothing about it.

Aside from being unfunny, the video is rampant with homophobic and sexist overtones; as well as simulated masturbation. Certainly not what is expected of the second-in-command on a world-class fighting vessel; and certainly not an example of leadership from a man expected to lead. One would hope this childish behavior has no place in today’s military.

With the misguided furor and protestations of a small number of military officers (including Capt. Honors) over the repeal of DADT, I would think that the military would have far larger concerns with bigots like this in it’s ranks.

Honors, an ex-Top Gun, made several “XO Movie Night” videos while serving as second-in-command on the aircraft carrier Enterprise from 2005 to 2007, presumably to entertain the crew. They’re like Funny or Die joins the Navy: a series of salty Late Night-style sketches, like Honors in his bathrobe, crossing his legs casually while a sign saying “Little XO” stops the viewer from seeing his privates. A clip about masturbation shows Honors vigorously jacking a rubber chicken doll, with gooey white paint splashing on a crewmate’s shoes. F-bombs are deployed with vigor.

And then there’s the material that’s causing the Navy to launch an investigation, as it told the Virginian-Pilot, which found the videos. Making fun of the ship’s Surface Warfare Officers, Honors refers to one as a “fag SWO-boy” and shows a sketch featuring what he calls his “favorite topic: two chicks in the shower.”

Today, Capt. Honors is the Commander of the USS Enterprise. With the impending Navy investigation of these videos, Capt Honors will be released from his duties prior to the planned deployment of the Enterprise in the coming weeks.

In the wake of the repeal of DADT, it’s obvious behavior such as this cannot and will not be tolerated.

UPDATE #2: I’ve just been informed that the same person who derided my service to the country as a gay man was an enlisted man on the Enterprise. What’s even funnier is that in his elitist little mind he felt my duties as a Personnel Technician didn’t qualify me as being a “real servicemember”. I guess I should have been an XO somewhere making silly little movies on the taxpayer’s dime. 🙂